To my shame, I had never heard of the Curiohaus Trials before reading this book. When in the context of war crime trials, my mind goes to Nuremberg. But only a few of the millions of war criminals were tried there. Most of those in British custody were tried in Hamburg at the Curiohaus. The Curiohaus trials were poorly documented (archives and transcripts went missing) but thankfully, the author of this book conducted meticulous research to piece the puzzle together. Fascinating photographs bring life and personality to those involved. In some cases, the evidence against these criminals was overwhelming but an astounding number were acquitted and/or released from prison, even when previously sentenced to death. Very few paid for their crimes and many lived out their natural lives all over the world.

"You did it, too" and "I was just following orders" were amongst the appalling excuses which were given, even by those who admitted to their roles in the Zyklon B Trial. They felt their actions were justified. One Nazi said he tried to feel for the pulse of a prisoner with his foot while wearing his boot on the unfortunate man's neck! Amongst other horrors, disabled German children were seen by Nazis as "useless eaters" and were therefore experimented on or murdered. Not only does the author highlight the heinous crimes and trials but also discusses the Soviets who went from allies to enemies, basically using scorched earth practices (and others).

Stories such as these are incredibly difficult to read, knowing they involved real people. On the one hand, millions of innocent people were ruthlessly hunted and murdered. On the other, the killers professed their justifications and often went free. My heart was crushed and my mind infuriated at the injustice. But this is a very, very important book to read. I am grateful for those brave survivors who told their stories and testified against their murderers. I cannot fathom that level of courage.

The Curiohaus Trials: Bringing the Nazis to Justice 1945–1949
By Russell Kent
Pendant Sword Publishing, 2025..

In The Curiohaus Trials: Bringing the Nazis to Justice 1945–1949, Russell Kent offers a comprehensive examination of the British military’s post-World War II war crimes trials held at the Curiohaus in Hamburg. The book meticulously details the legal foundations and proceedings that sought to hold Nazi officials, military personnel, and collaborators accountable for their wartime actions.

Kent begins by establishing the legal framework of these trials. In Chapter 1, he discusses the Vienna Convention, providing a specific definition of what constitutes a war crime under that framework. Subsequent chapters present a series of case studies focusing on different types of crimes. Chapter 2 examines trials for the murder of captured British soldiers, while Chapter 3 delves into cases related to forced labor. Chapter 4 shifts focus to crimes committed against children, and Chapter 5 revisits issues of forced labor within work and education camps. Although Chapters 3 and 5 both address forced labor, their overlapping content may feel somewhat repetitive to readers. Chapter 6 covers killings during the war’s final phase, and Chapter 7 documents the conclusion of British military courts in Germany.

Notably, many of the crimes discussed occurred between 1943 and 1945, often just days before Allied forces took control. This close timeframe underscores the overlapping nature of some case studies.

Overall, The Curiohaus Trials: Bringing the Nazis to Justice 1945–1949 is a well-researched account that illuminates the legal and historical dimensions of post-war justice. While its detailed legal analysis may challenge readers not already familiar with the subject, the book remains a valuable resource for those interested in the prosecution of Nazi war criminals.

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley and Pendant Sword Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review.